FMDRS: Cheeseman Sets New Track Records in Friday Qualifying at Quaker City Dragway
17 July 1999
SALEM, Ohio. - Chuck Cheeseman of Columbus, Ohio set the pace and a
new track record in the first round of Federal-Mogul Funny Car qualifying
at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Quaker City Dragway.
In Federal-Mogul Dragster, Jeff Wilson of Winfield, Mo. made the quickest
run of the day to lead the field after one round of qualifying.
In the hot and humid air at Quaker City Dragway, Cheeseman took
charge of the Federal-Mogul Funny Car field by setting the track e.t. and
speed records with a run of 5.920 seconds at 241.97 mph. Cheeseman's run
would have been perfect if it wasn't for a touch of tire smoke at
half-track. Cheeseman bettered Marc White's record run from last year of
5.921 seconds at 240.68 mph. Defending Quaker City Dragway Champion, Marc
White of Glendale Heights, Ill. shut off at half-track in his effort on
Friday.
"I know we can do better tomorrow", said Cheeseman. "We can run in
the 5.80's tomorrow if all goes right, but I'll enjoy this tonight. That's
why we are here, to go fast and have fun."
The slick Quaker City track gave problems to most of the
Federal-Mogul Dragsters, but Wilson tuned his Dragster down a little and it
paid off with the top qualifying position after Friday's effort. Wilson's
run started strong and then the car started to skate a little at 600 feet,
but Wilson got control back and finished strong.
"I went conservative in today's run, but I guess that's what the
car needed", said Wilson. "Tomorrow we'll step it up because I think it'll
do a 5.65 or 5.66."
Qualifying and time trials will continue at Quaker City Dragway on
Saturday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny
Car will have qualifying sessions at 5 and 8 p.m.
The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul
Drag Racing Series event at Quaker City Dragway:
FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Jeff Wilson, Winfield, Mo., 5.721 seconds, 244.60 mph
2. Bill Reichert, Owqsso, Mich., 5.768, 240.68
3. Shawn Bowen, Montrose, Mich., 5.804, 243.28
4. Gary Ward, Cincinnati, Ohio, 5.960, 229.63
5. Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Penn., 5.988, 229.63
6. Bob Adam, North Branch, Mich., 6.189, 223.91
7. Mike Miller, Okemos, Mich., 6.608, 193.16
8. Ben Barnes, Chesterland, Ohio, 7.476, 155.72
FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
1. Chuck Cheeseman, Columbus, Ohio, '98 Pontiac, 5.920 seconds, 241.97 mph
2. Danny Townsend, Muncie, Ind., '97 Pontiac, 5.976, 238.13
3. John Lawson, Joliet, Ill, '99 Pontiac, 6.051, 236.88
4. Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '99 Pontiac, 7.540, 126.41
COMP ELIMINATOR
No qualifying attempts on Friday
SUPER STOCK
1. Charlie Westcott, Parma, Mich., '96 Pontiac, GT/E, 9.825 seconds
2. Michael Volkman, Pittsburgh, Penn., '99 Chrysler, GT/IA, 10.578 (-1.082)
3. Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, '84 Chevrolet, SS/AX, 9.070 (-1.070)
4. Joe Skinner, Columbiana Station, Ohio, '95 Chevrolet, GT/E, 9.891(-1.059)
5. Jim Boburka, Coraopolis, Penn., '99 Chevrolet, GT/DA 9.894 (-1.056)
6. Merle Eschman, Butler, Penn., '98 Pontiac, GT/CA 9.823 (-1.027)
7. Carl Schodde, Pittsburgh, Penn., '93 Chrysler, GT/HA, 10.517 (-0.993)
8. Gary Tompa, Saginaw, Mich., '84 Chevrolet, SS/J, 10.271 (-0.979)
9. Dennis Steward, Dover, Penn., '91 Dodge, GT/EA, 10.144 (-0.956)
10. Mike Beachy, Greentown, Ind., '82 Pontiac, GT/EA, 10.186 (-0.914)
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Joey Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '99 Pontiac, F/SA, 11.180 seconds
2. Clint Blezien, Bensenville, Ill, '91 Chevrolet, O/SA, 12.562 (-1.078)
3. Paul Dilcher, Brockport, N.Y., '78 Pontiac, L/SA, 12.108 (-1.072)
4. Gary Russell, East Sparta, Ohio, '92 Ford, L/S, 12.128 (-1.052)
5. John McCormack, Rochester Hills, Mich., '99 Dodge, DT/S, 12.491 (-1.049)
6. Joe Russell, East Sparta, Ohio, '95 Ford, L/S, 12.132 (-1.048)
7. Bill Rink, Naperville, Ill., '74 Pontiac, M/SA, 12.319 (-1.021)
8. Jennifer Dziorny, Wixom, Mich., '94 Dakota, CT/SA, 12.529 (-1.011)
9. Judy McCormack, Milford, Mich., '99 Dodge, DT/SA, 12.713 (-0.977)
10. Mike Walter, Paris, Ohio, '67 Chevrolet, F/SA, 11.429 (-0.889)
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